Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, commonly called PCOS is a serious syndrome that many have little to no knowledge of. This serious syndrome affects many women; some of its sufferers have no idea that they have it. PCOS if left untreated can be potentially fatal. I intend on educating you on PCOS and its symptoms in this paper.
PCOS is a very complex metabolic disorder. Metabolic refers to the physical and biochemical processes required for the body to function PCOS develops when there are several small benign cysts in the ovaries. These cysts cause the ovaries to be enlarged. If the cysts cause a reproductive hormonal imbalance, several symptoms may begin to show and this is the difference between having poly-cystic ovaries and PCOS. Three key organs play the role of creating PCOS.
The pituitary gland in the brain created the hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). These hormones are sent to the ovaries, once they are signaled they create estrogen and progesterone, which are the female sex hormones. Normal ovaries also create a small amount of the male hormone testosterone. The pancreas creates the hormone insulin. With PCOS, the LH and FSH are out of balance (each case is unique), the signal to the ovaries is often interrupted and ovulation or periods do not occur. Due to this the ovaries create large amounts of testosterone.
If the pancreas creates more insulin than normal, this can cause high testosterone levels also. The pancreas is imbalanced because of something called insulin resistance which is caused by PCOS. PCOS has an insulin resistance component, which means that too much insulin is required to store blood sugar When these things occur with in a woman’s body PCOS is created. The symptoms will begin to show shortly afterward.
PCOS most often comes to light during puberty due to period problems Infrequent, irregular or missing periods are common variations. Many find that the periods are heavy when they do arrive. The irregularity of periods is a sign of irregular monthly ovulation. This can be treated by an oral contraceptive. Birth control pills can regulate periods and ovulation as well as help to increase low estrogen levels in the PCOS sufferer.
Hair growth in uncommon places for women is also a symptom of PCOS. High levels of androgens (hormones such as testosterone) can cause this embarrassing problem. The high testosterone levels can also cause acne and male pattern baldness. The treatment for these symptoms is also an oral contraceptive at a low dose including a drug called Spironolactone Depending on the severity the treatment can range from twenty five milligrams to one hundred milligrams of Spironolactone daily. Spironolactone can stop unwanted hair growth and induce normal hair growth on the scalp. A low dose contraceptive allows for regular periods (Spironolactone makes them erratic) and will raise the estrogen levels to stop hair growth and acne.
Another symptom that can pop up are called acanthosis nigrans, which are dark patches of skin in the groin area, back of the neck, on the knees and elbows. These dark areas are simply how your body shows it is imbalanced chemically. There is no option for treatment with this symptom. If you were to try skin bleaching, an expensive alternative, the dark spots would simply reappear. The chemicals of a PCOS sufferer will continuw to be imbalanced and cause the darkening all over again.
All women worry about weight. PCOS sufferers will be forced to worry even more. Because of insulin resistance obesity is common in PCOS sufferers. Obesity is a double edged sword for a woman with PCOS. Obesity itself can initiate the symptoms in some women who would not have other wise suffered them if they had remained at a normal weight. Obesity will also worsen the symptoms of PCOS. Thos who suffer from PCOS are urged to see a nutritionist to get on a strict calorie and carbohydrate diet along with a daily exercise program. Insulin inducing agents can also be prescribed like Metformin or Glucophage. This regulates insulin in the levels thus allowing the body to dispose of unneeded sugars.
If all of these symptoms are left untreated they can have some serious long term affects on you. They are related to the high insulin and androgen levels. The high levels of insulin are directly related to and increased risk of developing type II diabetes. The constant hormone changes described increase the chance of developing high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, both of which can lead to a greater risk of heart disease (
www.womens-health.com). The irregular or infrequent periods can lead to an increased risk of cancer in the uterus lining. On top of infertility issues, a woman with PCOS can have pregnancy related complications such as preeclampsia which is a toxic condition in late pregnancy. It is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure, excessive weight gain, severe headaches, and visual disturbances.
The cause of PCOS can not be pinpointed. It has however, been associated with: genetic predisposition, insulin resistance, obesity, organ/hormonal disorders, environmental pollution (hormonal disruptors), and chronic inflammation PCOS is not a simple disease with one cause; this is why it can only be treated and not cured. This fact also causes the disease to be misdiagnosed or simply over looked. It is reported that four to ten percent of all women have PCOS but because many do not realize they have it, the actual number probably exceeds ten percent
I decided to write this paper because I have PCOS. My case was discovered at a mere age of five. I was basically developing and going through puberty at age five. I would have stopped growth at a small four foot. I have all of the symptoms of PCOS. I deal with them on a daily basis. I was diagnosed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN by Dr. Jennifer Najjar. Due to her excellent treatment of close monitoring I am twenty years old, 5’4, and working towards losing weight. Dr. Najjar monitored my ovaries by ultrasounds and my hormones by close monitoring of lab work. I currently am on a low dose oral contraceptive, one hundred milligrams of Spironolactone, and two and a half milligrams of Glyburide (another insulin resistance medication).
If the information in this paper sounds like you or someone you know, ask your obstetrician to take some lab work. If hormonal imbalances appear, seek help from an endocrinologist, who specializes in hormonal treatment. It is possible to have PCOS and appear completely normal. Many may believe they are normal but when educated on this find that they are a little more complex than they thought. Seek help if there are any symptoms familiar to you. While some may have only three out of nine of the symptoms; another may have nine out of nine, they are more than likely PCOS sufferers because each case is unique.
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